TfL HR (3)

Shaun Bailey: Over the last 3 years, how many TfL vacancies have been advertised to internal applicants only, and how many were advertised to external applicants?

The Mayor: The below table provides the number of vacancies advertised to both internal and external candidates. All vacancies are advertised to internal candidates as well as externally, so the number of internal vacancies advertised is the total number.
External Vacancies Advertised
Internal Vacancies Advertised (Total)
2017/18
2,126
4,747
2018/19
2,157
4,475
2019/20
2,184
5,465

384 Bus (5)

Susan Hall: How many responses has the Mayor received to TfL’s consultation on changes to the route of the 384 bus?

The Mayor: As detailed in the consultation report referred to in my answer to Mayor’s Question 2020/1798, Transport for London received 1,378 responses to the consultation. This also includes any responses sent directly to me.

Streetspace and Taxis (3)

Keith Prince: Does the Mayor accept that one consequence of his restricting taxi access as part of his Streetspace plan, will be an inevitable increase in journey times and higher fares for passengers with disabilities?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2020/1677

Taxi and Finish Report

Keith Prince: With regard to the Mayor’s response to question 2020/0089, what is the timeframe for consideration of those elements that can be progressed separately?

The Mayor: The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant economic effect, including on London’s taxi and private hire industries.
Transport for London is fully engaged with the industry in dealing with the immediate and significant issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic. When things return to a steady state, as I am sure they will in time, I will be in a better position to provide you with a timeframe.

Lost Bus Revenue

Keith Prince: How much revenue does TfL estimate has been lost due to the policy of not requiring tapping in on buses?

The Mayor: Up to the week ending 30 May, Transport for London estimate that around £25m of fares revenue was foregone due to customers being advised not to tap upon boarding buses, an important step to taken as part of our efforts to protect staff and customers.

High Barnet station development (1)

Susan Hall: Will you withdraw your plans to build over the London Underground station car park at High Barnet?

The Mayor: No. London’s housing crisis has not disappeared. We still desperately need high quality and affordable homes and Transport for London (TfL) is focused on continuing to deliver the first 10,000 homes in its pipeline as soon as possible. Delivering these homes on sites with good access to public transport, such as the station car park at High Barnet, will encourage sustainable travel benefitting the local area and London more broadly.
TfL’s plans for development at High Barnet station have been designed with regular input from local people and the London Borough of Barnet and have been amended following engagement which began in 2018. TfL held public exhibitions at the station in June and November 2019 and continue to meet local community groups and stakeholders to discuss and refine the designs.

High Barnet station development (2)

Susan Hall: Will you attend a public meeting in Barnet to hear the views of residents on your plans to build over the London Underground station car park at High Barnet?

The Mayor: I am satisfied that Transport for London (TfL) has allowed for transparent and robust public consultation on all its proposals and planning applications, including at High Barnet.
TfL has worked extensively with the community and London Borough of Barnet to develop its plans for High Barnet. Following the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown, TfL has been working closely with not only Barnet, but boroughs across London to supplement its statutory consultation obligations. This has included providing additional communications, utilising online tools and arranging virtual meetings. Where necessary, TfL has readily agreed to extend planning timetables to ensure local people have sufficient opportunity to scrutinise plans and make representations.

Applications for Residents’ Discount of the Congestion Charge

Caroline Pidgeon: TfL’s website currently states that it is not processing new applications for the residents’ discount of the Congestion Charge. Please state when TfL will start reviewing any applications made by new residents after 18 May 2020. Please also provide an assurance that no resident who applied for a new residents’ discount in good time between the 18 May 2020 and 22 June 2020 will be inconvenienced and face the unnecessary full payment of the Congestion Charge due to TfL’s decision to freeze processing of new applications before the commencement of its wider temporary changes to the Congestion Charge.

The Mayor: Following the announcement of proposals to temporarily close the residents’ discount to new applicants on 15 May in order to manage traffic levels in the Congestion Charge Zone, Transport for London (TfL) stopped processing applications ahead of proposals being confirmed or modified.
Further to this, and as a result of the impact assessment of the proposed changes to the scheme, I have decided that the temporary closure of the residents’ discount will take effect from 1 August. TfL is currently processing applications and will continue to process any new applications received on or before Sunday 31 July. Any eligible applicantion granted the discount will be entitled to a refund of 90 per cent of any charges paid at the full rate between the date of application and date of TfL approval.

Personal protective equipment for transport workers

Caroline Russell: The Public Health England (PHE) review on disparities in the risk and outcomes of coronavirus (released 2 June 2020) found that men working as security guards, taxi drivers and chauffeurs, bus and coach drivers have seen among the highest increases in all cause mortality of any groups during the coronavirus pandemic. What measures are you taking to ensure that all London’s transport workers are given suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe ways of working?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has constantly reviewed its measures to protect staff and customers throughout the coronavirus pandemic in line with Government and Public Health England advice. TfL monitors all the developing medical guidance and advice closely and adapts its approach as appropriate based on the PHE and Government guidance.
Every effort has been made to ensure social distancing of staff and customers, and during the height of the lockdown TfL were focused on ensuring that only those making essential journeys were using the transport network. A wide range of communication and other measures have been introduced in recent weeks to support safe social distancing and hand hygiene through the provision of hand sanitisers and face coverings.
TfL has enhanced cleaning of common touch points across vehicles and stations and made sure staff do not feel pressurised to continue to come to work when unwell, including by funding enhanced sick pay and urging bus operators not to require vulnerable employees to work.
PPE facemasks have been issued to TfL operational staff across the network as part of emergency kits that are in place for staff to utilise in situations where they are providing first aid to customers, and for activities where maintaining social distancing cannot be achieved. Social distancing markings have been installed across the TfL network, including safe zones for staff to ensure social distancing from customers can be maintained.
Face coverings have been made available to all TfL operational staff from Monday 11 May, in line with Government advice.
Work started in late March to cover the gaps in existing plastic screens on bus driver cabs with a plastic film to provide additional protection to bus drivers. Alongside this, TfL stopped passengers using the front most seats by the driver and implemented middle door only boarding on buses from Monday 20 April. Front door boarding resumed with a phased return from Saturday 23 May once cab safeguards had been put in place.
Sadly we are aware that the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in the UK has led to some TfL licensed taxi and private hire drivers tragically losing their lives. TfL has been working to understand the impact of the coronavirus within the taxi and private hire industry since the outbreak and has put in place measures to help drivers, wherever possible.

TfL - HR (2)

Shaun Bailey: What proportion of successful applicants to open vacancies at TfL have come from both outside and inside the organisation? Please provide the data for the last 3 years.

The Mayor: The number of job offers accepted by internal and external applicants for the previous three years is provided in the below table:
External Offers Accepted
Internal Offers Accepted
Total
2017/18
2,294
2,226
4,520
2018/19
1,005
2,526
3,531
2019/20
1,650
2,510
4,160

TfL - HR (1)

Shaun Bailey: Please provide a breakdown of the number of TfL staff who have been dismissed from their roles for each of the last 3 years, and listed by category/reason if possible.

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) records employee dismissals under three categories:
Over the previous three years 71 TfL employees have been dismissed from employment.
The below table provides a breakdown of dismissals during each of the previous three years, in each of the categories listed.
Year
Dismissed
Dismissed Due to Failing Training
Summarily Dismissed
Total
2017-18
10
5
13
28
2018-19
6
1
12
19
2019-20
8
3
13
24
Total
24
9
38
71

Face Coverings - TfL Network

Shaun Bailey: Why did you not amend the Conditions of Carriage to mandate TFL passengers to wear face coverings?

The Mayor: Transport for London’s Conditions of Carriage were updated on 15 June, the date from which the Government made it mandatory to wear face coverings on public transport across England.

TfL Land - Construction

Shaun Bailey: How many houses have been built on TfL land, each year from the 2015/16 financial year up until 2019/20?

The Mayor: I have dramatically increased housing delivered on Transport for London (TfL) land since becoming Mayor. Under my predecessor, no projects started on site in the financial year 2015/16 and the attached table shows the full breakdown of the number of homes that have started on site each financial year from 2016/17 to 2019/20.
So far a total of 1,389 homes have started on site of which 52 per cent are genuinely affordable. Of these, 180 homes commenced in the financial year 2016/17, 86 homes in 2017/18, 46 homes in 2018/19, and 1,077 homes in 2019/20.
266 of the 1,389 homes are now complete and 1,123 are currently under construction.

The Elizabeth Line

Shaun Bailey: In response to question 2020/1113, you stated that “weekly metrics (are provided) to both TfL and the Department for Transport on a range of measures including safety performance and testing.” Please provide a full list of these metrics and measures, the most recent performance assessment on each, and any identified changes to these metrics as a result of COVID-19.

The Mayor: There has been a welcome change in Crossrail’s approach to openness and transparency since the arrival of the new leadership team.
As previously communicated, there are robust processes in place to ensure that both sponsors, Transport for London (TfL) and Department for Transport, are informed of progress of the project. These include invitations to attend every Crossrail Board meeting, Board minutes published on Crossrail’s website, a monthly update to the Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee and publication of the independently assessed reports undertaken by the Project Representative. In addition, regular meetings take place with both sponsors. Together these mechanisms provide a full picture of the project which is helpful for both sponsors to provide challenge.
For analysis of the metrics that I receive I would encourage you to read the P-Representative reports and Crossrail Ltd response, which are published on TfL’s website: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/crossrail-project-updates
As the Crossrail Chairman explained to the TfL Board on 2 June, unmitigated, coronavirus will have an impact on Crossrail’s programme schedule.Crossrail Ltd has developed multiple scenarios, but considerable uncertainty remains as it isn’t clear how the pandemic will develop.

Facemasks

Susan Hall: How will compulsory facemasks be policed on London public transport?

The Mayor: Under national regulations, the use of face coverings when on public transport became mandatory on 15 June. To protect passengers and staff, TfL has supplemented the national regulations by making the wearing of face coverings a condition of carriage for all its transport services, and by issuing an instruction under the TfL byelaws requiring face coverings to be worn in its rail and Underground stations, on their platforms, and at tramstops. Passengers who do not comply with the requirement could be refused travel, prosecuted or fined £100 under the regulations; or prosecuted under the byelaws. Children under 11 and certain other categories of persons are exempt from the requirement to wear face coverings, and in certain circumstances passengers may have a reasonable excuse not to wear one; such as if they have a disability that means they cannot wear one.
TfL’s initial approach will focus on engagement and explanation of the new requirement by frontline staff, through extensive customer-facing communications and behaviour change activity. Over the last two weeks, frontline staff have also provided customers with complimentary face masks at the busiest train and bus stations to encourage compliance, supported by a visible police and uniformed presence.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police, as well as TfL enforcement officers will also be helping customers to comply with the new requirement. They will initially explain to customers how everyone on the network benefits from the widespread use of face coverings and the requirement to wear them. Once TfL is confident customers understand the new requirements, enforcement, which may include being refused entry, being fined or prosecuted, will start. I expect this to be a last resort as Londoners will want to do the right thing and keep themselves and others safe.

Congestion Charge Consultation (4)

Keith Prince: How many e-mails were sent notifying stakeholders about the Congestion Charge consultation?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2020/1736.

Congestion Charge Consultation (3)

Keith Prince: How did TfL publicise the Congestion Charge consultation?

The Mayor: Given we are responding to exceptional and urgent circumstances and the changes are only temporary, it was not practicable or required to conduct a formal lengthy consultation.
The changes were widely covered by the press following a press release issued on 15 May outlining the initial proposals and information was provided on Transport for London’s (TfL) webpage. TfL invited people to share their views on the proposals by email to [emailprotected]. The invitation was published on TfL’s website and the Metro travel page on 29 May. Approximately 14,000 emails and letters were received through the TfL ‘yoursay’ email address and the GLA.

Congestion Charge Consultation (2)

Keith Prince: How many people responded to the Mayor’s consultation on the changes to the Congestion Charge? Please provide a full breakdown of the responses.

The Mayor: Given we are responding to exceptional and urgent circumstances and the changes are only temporary, it was not practicable or required to conduct a formal lengthy consultation. Nonetheless, Transport for London (TfL) and I invited responses from stakeholders and the public to understand their views. Approximately 14,000 emails and letters were received through the TfL ‘yoursay’ email address and the GLA. The issues raised in public and stakeholder responses have been considered through the impact assessment.
A broad range of supportive views and concerns were raised. People expressed support for measures due to concerns about high levels of traffic, air pollution and road safety, as well as concerns about impacts of the changes on residents, shielding residents and vulnerable people reliant on volunteers, as well as businesses and the economy.
The Integrated Impact Assessment took into account the views submitted by stakeholders and the public. Additional mitigation measures were identified as a result. The IIA was published alongside the decision form.

Congestion Charge Consultation (1)

Keith Prince: What impact assessments were done regarding the Mayor’s decision to increase and widen the congestion charge?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) undertook an Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) of the proposed temporary changes to the Congestion Charge, which is published on the GLA website as part of the Mayoral decision papers. This IIA assessed the impacts of the proposed changes to the scheme on the environment, on people (including health and equality) and on the economy. The expected traffic and air quality impacts of the scheme were modelled by TfL using existing data sources.
The IIA took into account the views submitted by stakeholders and the public. TfL published an invitation on its website and in the Metro travel page for people to express their views on the proposed changes between 29 May and 4 June. Other correspondence received by the Mayor and TfL was also taken into account.
Additional mitigation measures were identified as a result of the IIA. The IIA was reviewed by subject matter experts within TfL and by an external independent expert.

Streetspace and Taxis (1)

Keith Prince: TfL recently published a mental health initiative regarding the wellbeing of taxi licensees. With the recently announced Streetspace plan restricting taxis from major roads in central London, does the Mayor agree these additional pressures will have a detrimental effect on drivers’ mental wellbeing?

The Mayor: My London Streetspace plan is creating more space on streets so people can walk or cycle while social distancing. This will help ease pressure on public transport as the pandemic lockdown is lifted.
The new zones are primarily designed for pedestrians, cyclists and buses, however Transport for London (TfL) is actively considering what level of access can also be granted to taxis and private hire vehicles to enable them to continue to provide passenger carrying services without impacting the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.
The coronavirus pandemic continues to be an incredibly unsettling and worrying time for everyone. TfL has sought to provide taxi and private hire licensees with as much information and advice as possible about mental health and wellbeing, as well as details of financial support available from the Government.
In all of its communications to licensees and stakeholders, TfL has consistently encouraged licensees to be mindful of their physical and mental wellbeing and, if they feel they need to, to seek advice or support from one of the many specialist organisations that are available to them: www.tfl.gov.uk/tph-wellbeing.

384 Bus (4)

Susan Hall: Why has TfL not set up a public forum to enable New Barnet residents to express their views on proposed route changes to the 384 bus?

The Mayor: As I am sure you will understand, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and limitations on public gatherings has severely affected Transport for London’s (TfL’s) ability to undertake its usual in-person public engagement activities. However, TfL is looking at ways it can hold a further virtual discussion or meeting with those affected by changes to bus route 384 in the coming weeks.

384 Bus (3)

Susan Hall: Will the Mayor postpone the implementation of his planned route changes for the 384 bus to allow for further consultation and community engagement on this proposal?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) carried out a full consultation which ran from 10 September to 9 November 2018 and the results were published on 20 February 2019. The consultation report can be viewed at https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/route-384/.
TfL committed to review in detail a number of alternative proposals and mitigations suggested by respondents during the consultation process. Despite extensive work reviewing these alternative proposals, none delivered the same levels of service enhancements or value for money. As a result, the decision was taken in April 2020 to proceed with the original proposals.
TfL is not planning any further formal consultation and due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, is not able to carry out engagement activities in the usual way. However, officers are looking into how further discussion with those affected by the changes might be undertaken virtually to allow officers to explain in more detail the rationale for the decision.

Cockfosters station development (1)

Susan Hall: Will you withdraw your plans to build over the London Underground station car park at Cockfosters?

The Mayor: No. London’s housing crisis has not disappeared. We still desperately need high quality and affordable homes and Transport for London (TfL) is focused on continuing to deliver the first 10,000 homes in its pipeline as soon as possible. Delivering these homes on sites with good access to public transport, such as the station car park at Cockfosters, will encourage sustainable travel benefitting the local area and London more broadly.
TfL expects to submit its planning application to Enfield Council later this month.
Over the past 12 months, TfL has worked with the community and Enfield Council to develop its plans. More than 450 people attended a public consultation, and over 1,000 people participated in an online consultation. TfL and its partner, Grainger plc, are currently finalising their plans and will share these with the local community.
TfL ensures that there is transparent and robust public consultation on all its proposals and planning applications, including at Cockfosters. TfL will work with Enfield Council to ensure the local community have the opportunity to scrutinise plans and make representations, so that the homes and scheme being delivered work for and benefit the whole community.

Arnos Grove station development (2)

Susan Hall: Will you attend a public meeting in Barnet to hear the views of residents on your plans to build over the London Underground station car park at Arnos Grove?

The Mayor: I am satisfied that Transport for London (TfL) has allowed for transparent and robust public consultation on all its proposals and planning applications, including at Arnos Grove.
TfL has worked extensively with the community and London Borough of Enfield to develop its plans for Arnos Grove. Following the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown, TfL has been working closely with not only Enfield, but boroughs across London to supplement its statutory consultation obligations. This has included providing additional communications, utilising online tools and arranging virtual meetings. Where necessary, TfL has readily agreed to extend planning timetables to ensure local people have sufficient opportunity to scrutinise plans and make representations.

Arnos Grove station development (1)

Susan Hall: Will you withdraw your plans to build over the London Underground station car park at Arnos Grove?

The Mayor: No. London’s housing crisis has not disappeared. Londoners still desperately need high quality and affordable homes, and Transport for London (TfL) is focused on continuing to deliver the first 10,000 homes in its pipeline as soon as possible. Delivering these homes on sites with good access to public transport, such as the station car park at Arnos Grove, will encourage sustainable travel benefitting the local area and London more broadly.
TfL has submitted its plans at Arnos Grove to Enfield Council following an extensive consultation period which began in June 2019, including a digital consultation with more than 1,300 participants. TfL has written to over 1,000 households in the area sharing its proposals, and residents can still visit Enfield’s website to scrutinise and comment on the plans.
Given the coronavirus pandemic, TfL is working with Enfield Council to ensure the local community is kept informed as the proposals at Arnos Grove progress.

384 Bus (2)

Susan Hall: Will the Mayor cancel his proposed route changes for the 384 bus?

The Mayor: The changes for route 384 will improve journey times and connectivity across the route. The changes improve access to Barnet Hospital, with journey times from Edgware reduced by around 20 minutes. They also reduce journey times between Barnet and Cockfosters by around nine minutes. Transport for London (TfL) also anticipates that, once the current travel restrictions are lifted, the changes will attract 30 per cent more customers to what was, prior to the current lockdown measures, an under-used bus route, with on average, a third of the passenger numbers compared to the network average.
TfL has taken care to ensure that as few customers as possible are adversely affected by the proposed changes and has done including a full Equality Impact Assessment in support of this. I recognise that changes to any service will inevitably cause disbenefit to some customers. However, as with any public transport decision, this needs to be balanced against the potential benefits to all customers across the area.

Key Workers - Congestion Charge

Shaun Bailey: Which key workers will be exempt from the congestion charge from June 22nd and which key workers will have to pay the charge?

The Mayor: A temporary Congestion Charge reimbursement arrangement has been offered by Transport for London (TfL) to NHS staff and care home workers travelling in the Congestion Charge zone for work since the scheme was reinstated on 18 May.
The reimbursementarrangementsrecognisethatcarehomeworkers and NHS staff come into close contact on a regular basis with potentially high numbers of people withcoronavirus or people most vulnerable to the impact of the virus.As such, there is a greater need to ensure that they can travel into work by car to reduce therisk ofcoming into contact withothers. London Ambulance Service staff are also covered by the expanded NHS staff reimbursement arrangements, as are St John’s Ambulance staff providing services on their behalf.
Further to this, and as a result of the impact assessment of the proposed changes to the scheme, new reimbursement arrangements have also been recommended for those providing services on behalf of local authorities and charities in response to the pandemic. This includes domiciliary care workers and charities serving vulnerable people in the Congestion Charge zone for journeys related to the pandemic, for example volunteers delivering food or medication. I have directed TfL to work with relevant organisations to develop these reimbursement arrangements.
Additionally, in response to issues raised, I am also extending the NHS patient reimbursement scheme to include patients who are at higher risk of coronavirus travelling to their appointments in the zone, ensuring there is no barrier to those who are most vulnerable in accessing hospital appointments.